Cardiac compression system

Abstract

The present direct cardiac compression (DCC) design, termed Cardiac Resynchronization Compression Sac System (CRCSS), combines the mechanical and electrical characteristics associated with DCC and cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), respectively. The CRCSS comprises a shell, at least one opening on the shell, at least one inflatable balloon, and a pumping system. The shell is custom manufactured to substantially conform to the contour of a portion of a heart, the contour being obtained by an imaging system. The opening on the shell is designed for passing pericardial fluid so as not to impede the myocardial contraction. The inflatable balloon attaches to at least one predetermined location of the inner surface of the shell. Furthermore, the shell naturally positions in the pericardium space without resorting to any artificial force to prevent it from dislodging from the heart. When the inflatable balloon inflates at least one ventricular free wall of the heart is compressed.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of PCT patent application serial no. PCT / US2008 / 088620, filed on Dec. 31, 2008, in the name of inventors Pong-Jeu Lu, Pao-Yen Lin, Jiin-Huey Chem Lin, and Chien-Ping Ju, which, in turn, claims the benefit of priority based on U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 010,241, filed on Jan. 8, 2008, in the name of inventors Pong-Jeu Lu, Pao-Yen Lin, Jiin-Huey Chern Lin, and Chien-Ping Ju, the entire contents of PCT patent application and U.S. Provisional Patent Application are hereby incorporated by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]This present invention relates to a cardiac compression system, and more particularly, to a cardiac resynchronization compression sac system.BACKGROUND[0003]I. Direct Cardiac Compression[0004]The concept of Direct Cardiac Compression (DCC) as a modality for circulation support comes from the emergent resuscitation of heart and lung. The most unique advantage of DCC, as com...

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Benefits of technology

[0018]The present sac design is believed to play multiple roles in encouraging the diseased hearts to undergo reverse remodeling. Aside from passive mechanical containment achieved during diastolic period, the systolic support via epicardial compression may contribute to hemodynamic as well as electrophysiological trend reversals. The exertion of bi-ventricular compression at both right and left ventricular free walls would be of particular significance in the remedy of the conduction abnormalities, as implied in those electric CRT treatments. Mechanical and electrical behaviors of heart are mutually interactive. Except for refractory heart failure, by mechanically unloading a diseased heart, the action potential dysfunction associated with maladapted myocytes can be regressed toward a restored healthier state. Conversely, by a synchronous stimulation of myocardium, either inter-ventricularly or intra-ventricularly, the electric conduction renormalization can encourage a more homogeneous cardiac contraction, resulting in a higher mechanical contractile efficiency.

[0019]DCC enforcement, which comes by extraneously increasing the overall ventricular contraction force rather than by reducing the vascular afterload, equivalently, may create a milieu of myocardial unloading. In other words, despite the dissimilar forcing exertion, the reverse remodeling reflected in electrophysiological changes due to vascular afterload reduction observed in LVAD-supported group would also be expected to appear in patients with DCC assistance. Epicardial compression can effectively reduce or nullify the transmural tension over the epicardial area it contacts. Free wall DCC actuation can immediately relieve the myocardial stress condition around the most conduction-sensitive region, hence is hypothesized to be the best forcing scenario for DCC to stimulate therapeutic electrophysiologic renormalization which might lead to cellular reverse remodeling for the moderate diseased heart.

Problems solved by technology

Therefore, hard-fixation methods such as persistent vacuum suction, suture, and epicardial adhesion fixations were discarded because they do not serve the present design objective of long-term application and bridge-to-recovery.

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